TLF Phosban Reactor

[ReefGuy69]

Ok i just started hooking up the reactor and i am trying to follow the directions, but the directions on the reactor are different then the directions on the Phosban material. So im on hold right now until i hear back from you all. The Reactor says it works with a mininium of 130 grams-200 grams. then i have the container of Phoban telling me to use 50 grams for a 50 gal tank. So i was going to use 55 grams... i already put 55 grams in but should i follow the reactors directions and put 130 grams in or stick with the phosban materials directions???

on the phosban directions it does say you can use like 5 times the amount with no ill effects if done properly. and why couldnt it be teaspoons or table spoons to measure with. i dont have a scale i can measure grams with (never got into the whole drug dealing thing). so what good does measuring out in grams do me. LOL

[wonderloss]

If you use more, it will last longer. I cannot imagine any detrimental effects from it.

[Woodstock]

I would increase the amount slowly as not to shock your system...add 1/4 more every week or so.
Also Keep a check on your alkalinity level and be prepared to supplement.

[wonderloss]

Originally Posted by Woodstock

Also Keep a check on your alkalinity level and be prepared to supplement.

Does the Phosban affect alkalinity, or does the decrease in phosphate increase alkalinity uptake?

[Dentoid]

The phosban label tells you how much material to use for your particular tank size. The reactor directions tell the minimum and maximum that the device will hold. Follow the directions on the Phosban package. Also, make sure to gently rinse the Phosban with RO/DI water to remove the fines, or you'll have a toxic cloud sweep your tank when you turn on the pump!

[Doot77]

Originally Posted by Dentoid

The phosban label tells you how much material to use for your particular tank size. The reactor directions tell the minimum and maximum that the device will hold. Follow the directions on the Phosban package. Also, make sure to gently rinse the Phosban with RO/DI water to remove the fines, or you'll have a toxic cloud sweep your tank when you turn on the pump!

I just got one of these last night and was going to install it this weekend. So are you saying to only install the 55 gs for his tank or the 130g min the reactors instructions say?

[ReefGuy69]

Ok im going to use the mininium that the reactor says to use. Looks like i need to get something to suppliment Alk with. I am dripping Kalk. So i dont know if that helps. looks like i need to do some more research and keep my eye on it. Thanks all. It should be running in a few minutes.

[Dentoid]

Forgive me, now I see why the directions are confusing. Thanks Doot. I have never measured or weighed it. I've had a little as 2" and as much as more than 1/2 of the reactor filled with media. Just depends on how much I have on hand when I change it out!

[Scouter Steve]

As Woodstock says. Start with about half of normal and increase. I notice on my tank I had an Alk drop almost immediately. I am now running two reactors almost half full on my 325 gallon system.
If this is your 55 I really would start slow. As far as dosing Alk you can do that with some baked baking soda. 300 degrees in the oven for an hour. I use a glass pan so no metals. Let it cool and add as needed.

[zy112]

I have one of these but have not set it up yet. let me know how yours works.

[ReefGuy69]

Ok... well im in a pickle dick. LOL i used 150ml... i didnt realize i needed to start with alittle and then add week after week. They need to change the directions and should advice you to start slow and add more as you go. Ok well since im off on a bad foot. Im going to bake some baking soda in the oven for an hour in a glass pan... how much should i do? and then do i dose it like i do with kalk? right now i am following the directions with the kalk. im doing one tbs of kalk per gallon of water i add to my ATO. All my levels are in check. Last week or so been getting some good coraline aglae on my rocks. Been doing this for about 2-3 weeks now.

[ReefGuy69]

i might have just answered my own question. i found this... explaines how to bake it... going to save in favorites.

Chemistry and the Aquarium

[tbittner]

Test your phosphates every day. If you see that the phosphate level stops dropping, then the media has absorbed all it can. Dump it out, rinse our your reactor, fill it back up and turn it back on.

Phosban has a saturation point where it won't absorb anymore.

Follow the directions and put a bucket under the end of the output tube and let the water run into it until the water runs clear. Then put the tube back into your sump.

[ReefGuy69]

Thanks, i have been testing phosphates and they have read 0 for a while. people said that the algae is using it up before i can read it on a test. I also read where people tested 0 still got a reactor and noticed their algae problems dramatically decreased. So thats what im going for. Zy and Doot, when you get ready to do yours, get all the connections together, i dont recommened connecting it all together in your sump. I did it outside the sump and connected everything and used a bucket of about 2-3 gal of ro water and an empty bucket. i ran water through the unit until the water ran clear. it was rusty brown for about 2 gals and then it turned clear for the last gal. i then gently set it up in the sump turned it on and its been running ever since smoothly. At first when i ran it i had all the media tumbling in the canister. then i realized i needed to close the valve down so just the media at the top is tumbling. (i am correct in that right?). they kind of fool ya by giving ya that big canister, but the media is only doing its thing in the bottom to middle. i guess i thought it would work like a skimmer and be all bubbly and crazy, but its not.

[Dentoid]

The reason for a gentle tumble is so that the media doesn't break-up, it's very friable. It's rust after all, ferric oxide hydroxide.